Acton, Montana camping options sit in the shadows of the Beartooth Mountains with elevations ranging from 3,400 to 3,800 feet. The semi-arid climate creates dramatic temperature swings between day and night, even in summer months. Local fishing access sites offer primitive tent camping with minimal facilities on public land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Stillwater River provides excellent fishing access for anglers seeking trout. At Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site, one camper noted, "You are along a fast moving creek and the campsites are well spaced out with trees, vegetation or roads between each site." Bring waders for best results as bank access can be limited.
Historical exploration: Visit the sandstone formations where William Clark left his mark. "This is a really cool Montana treasure in my opinion. Lewis and Clark signed the sandstone here and its the only location of its kind," explains one visitor to Pompeys Pillar FAS.
Horseback riding: The open terrain near Pompeys Pillar offers extensive riding opportunities. A regular visitor reports, "This is actually a fantastic place to ride Young Horses. There is huge Open Fields. There are also a lot of sandstone Cliffs and deep gullies a very big good assortment of varied Terrain to teach young horses for trail riding."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: The proximity to moving water enhances the camping experience. "This is a great campsite. You are along a fast moving creek," writes one Swinging Bridge camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Natural site separation: Privacy between sites makes these small campgrounds feel more spacious. A visitor observed, "Sites are really separated down along the river. There's lots of trees and bushes that separate sites," making each spot feel more secluded.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning wildlife sightings add to the camping experience. One camper at Swinging Bridge mentioned, "We enjoyed a chilly overnight and woke to the geese nearby flying overhead."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Be prepared for minimal amenities at the best tent camping near Acton, Montana. A visitor at Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site reported, "One vault toilet and no water source (other than the river) make this a primitive camp."
Difficult access roads: The routes to camping areas can challenge vehicles. "The narrow dirt road is really only wide enough for one vehicle. Perhaps this isn't the best spot for big rigs," warns one camper about Swinging Bridge.
Site inconsistencies: Not all sites offer the same amenities. A camper noted, "We got the last spot when we arrived, but it did not have a picnic table?? So that was tough as car campers."
Insect preparation: Bring insect repellent for comfort. "Another drawback was that there were A LOT of bugs here," reports a summer visitor to Swinging Bridge.
Tips for camping with families
Check site availability early: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly during peak season. "Sites are FCFS so you roll the dice by coming here. It could be possible to score a really excellent site, but that wasn't really our case," advises a Swinging Bridge camper.
Bathroom facilities: The vault toilet is maintained but basic. A recent visitor noted, "The clean bathroom and privacy between sites are probably the two best aspects about the campground."
Site selection matters: For families, securing a site with both water access and a table improves the experience. "There are 5 sites, one without access to the creek," reports a camper, indicating not all sites offer the same features.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: The access roads severely limit RV options for tent camping near Acton. "Would not recommend for trailers or campers, even a small teardrop would be tough to maneuver," warns a visitor to Swinging Bridge.
Alternative parking: Some campers found workarounds for smaller rigs. "Only a few tent sites, none very big. Camping is more along the irrigation ditch but you could wade to the Stillwater River to fish," suggests a Swinging Bridge visitor who managed with a compact setup.
